Cardinals DT Williams confident returning from injury

Just when it seemed as if Cardinals defensive tackle Dan
Williams was starting to emerge, he was lost for the
season.

A first round pick out of Tennessee in 2010, Williams
broke
his left arm in a November loss to the 49ers.

Williams is back on the field for OTAs now, and says he’s
feeling no ill effects from the injury.

“No bad pain, no nothing,” he said. “Really just trying to
get used to using it again and just getting back to doing
what I used to do with it.”

Much is expected of Williams this season, as he will be
asked to anchor the middle of the defensive line. His
contributions won’t often show up in the box score, but
his
impact could be felt by everyone else on the defensive
side
of the ball.

The good news, besides Williams’ recovery, is the fact
that he’s in shape now, after having issues with his
weight early in his career. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt
said Williams ran well Tuesday, which bodes well for him
going forward.

“I am pleased with where Dan is right now and he’s got to
stay focused and keep it that way starting into training
camp,” Whisenhunt said.

That’s for a few months down the road, so in the meantime
Williams plans on using OTAs as a chance to not only work
his way back into shape, but learn a defense that was new
to the team last season.

“You get more in depth on the defense,” he said. “Instead
of just knowing what I’m supposed to do this year, I know
what [Darnell Dockett], [Calais Campbell], also I know
what [Daryl Washington] and [Paris Lenon] are doing behind
me.

“It gives me a chance to study a little bit more and get a
little bit more familiar with the defense.”

That should only help a player who the team will lean
heavily on this season.